Great Aquaponics Starter Kits for Hobbyists

There’s something special about growing your own vegetables. Using aquaponics starter kits to grow your own plants and fish without using any sort of chemicals is amazing. It really helps you feel like you’re doing something worthwhile both for yourself and the environment. Many people believe that starting an aquaponics system is expensive and requires lots of floor space. While that may be true for larger systems you can get some great aquaponics starter kits which are very small and require only a small area of your home or garage to operate. I’ll go over some of the more popular aquaponics systems in this article.

There are a few different ways to start your own home aquaponics system. The first way is to buy full aquaponics starter kits and the second is by building the system yourself. There are many different plans online that you can use to make your own system from small units that are made with 20 gallon aquariums to IBC Totes models. One of the most popular models for beginners is using a plastic barrel which is very easy. Here is a video of Aquaponic Barrel System Build, Chop & Flip Style by Rob Bob’s Backyard Farming & Aquaponics.

For those that want to get started quickly with small items or by using a ready made kit there are some great choices online that can help you get started right away. I’ll go over some of the best aquaponics starter kits and give some details about each one below.

Back to the Roots Water Garden Fish Tank

If you want to jump right into aquaponics without spending lots of money the Back to the Roots water garden fish tank is certainly for you. What started out as Kickstarter project quickly became a way for many people to have a small aquaponics system in their homes. The footprint for this system is very small with dimensions at 8 by 12.5 by 13.8. The entire aquaponics starter kit comes with everything you need to get started. Simply add your fish and plant the seeds that come with the unit and you’re set. It’s a great addition to an office as well.

Clone King 25 Site Aeroponic Cloning Machine

The Clone King is a little more hefty aeroponic system but I decided to include it here. The entire unit has a small footprint but it’s still likely an item that you will have in your garage or small building. One great thing about the system is that you can use 25 different places at once. Growing a lot of plants in just a small area that is totally sustained. You don’t need to add any chemicals or additives. The manufacturer’s also claim that there is a 100% success rate which is great especially for beginners in aquaponics. The biggest difference with this unit is that it sprays an ultra fine mist on the plants with nutrients.

Springworks Microfarm Aquaponic Garden

If you’re looking for an easy to setup and use aquaponics system then this unit is for you. It has a small footprint and can be located indoors in areas that are great for aquriums and such. Since the unit only measures 12 by 12 by 16 inches it can be placed on a small table or even a dresser. It’s made proudly in the USA. And the best part about this system is that it includes a grow light which lesser quality units simply don’t have. You can place this unit in a room without windows and it will do just fine. It’s also created by operators of one of the largest commercial aquaponics systems in the USA. It’s one of the best aquaponics starter kits for beginners.

Fin to Flower Aquaponics Large System

If you’re looking for a stylish system that you can place in the living area of your home the Fin to Flower Aquaponics Large System may be your best bet. It’s made in an interesting design that is a great conversation starter. But it’s not just a decorative item. The unit supports enough area to place six three inch plant grow pots which can grow some pretty hefty plants in this unit. The unit also includes two water falls which is great if you enjoy the sound for relaxation. the unit measures 19 by 13 by 15 inches so it’s a relatively small system even though the name includes ‘large’.

Genesis G-12 Aquaponics System

if you’re really ready to get a head start in aquaponics then the Genesis G-12 Aquaponics system. This is one of the larger aquaponics units that you can purchase and have everything included. It’s a larger system that will need to be placed in a garage or small building as it measures 40 by 48 inches and stands 42 inches tall. The unit is easy to install and can produce up to 120 pounds of vegetables per year along with 25 to 30 pounds of fish per year. The unit is setup to be self sustaining although like most aquaponic systems you’ll need to feed the fish. Although setting up an auto feeder can have this unit completely running on autopilot. Although this is not a cheap unit it’s certainly hefty enough to plung anyone head long into the aquaponics lifestyle.

Build Your Own or Buy Ready Made?

Getting into the hobby of aquaponics is great. The aquaponics systems above can really give you a head start because most are designed to work great without much tweaking and calculations. When building your own systems you’ll likely have problems here and there. Some people enjoy the chance to figure it out, however, for others who want a ready made system that they can use right away some of the aquaponics starter kits may be for you.